The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

Chapter 968: Chapter 945: Prestige Amidst Chaos 13

The Third and Fourth Branches were actively preparing, quite differently from here.

The First, Second, and Fifth Branches reached the Zhao Family’s manor, and this group had all sorts of demands.

They wanted to eat well and dress well, and even needed people to serve them.

Once they settled at the manor, these people didn’t really want to leave.

Fortunately, the old master and old madam had some foresight; they stayed for just one day before urging the First Branch to start preparing their things.

Xiao Jue didn’t really know what to prepare, so he just asked the steward at the manor to prepare supplies. Additionally, they contacted the merchant team arranged by the Jin Family, planning to travel with them later.

While Xiao Yuan and his group had already left the city, the First Branch was still indulging at the manor.

Xiao Yuan’s group sat in three carriages, with one for the Third Branch, one for the Fourth Branch. Due to the number of people in the Third Branch, Xiao Ying joined the Fourth Branch’s carriage, and Xiao Ling had his own carriage.

His carriage was filled with supplies, and Xiao Ling acted as the driver.

No one from the group hired a driver; they drove themselves.

Xiao Yuan could drive a carriage, and Xiao Jin, who loved fun, could ride a horse and drive a carriage.

Xiao Ling, an invisible figure in the residence due to the lack of attention, started figuring things out on his own. He had learned to drive a carriage from the family’s servants, which came in handy now.

The group set out early, leaving the city at the break of dawn. The morning chill made everyone feel a bit cold in the carriage. Anning covered the children with a thin blanket, saying, ”Hurry up and get some sleep.”

The children, indeed very sleepy, fell asleep shortly after Anning’s encouragement.

Anning sat by the door of the carriage, engaging in intermittent conversation with Xiao Yuan.

While speaking with Xiao Yuan, Anning also had An Xin give directions.

Though there was no internet in ancient times, An Xin was still useful for checking the road conditions and weather.

”The weather’s good today; we can make some progress.”

Anning told Xiao Yuan, ”Ahead, if we turn left, there’s a large market in town, but carriages have a hard time getting through. The right path is smoother and was recently repaired; it’d be an easier journey.”

The Third Branch’s carriage led the way, guiding the others, with Xiao Jin and Xiao Ling following Xiao Yuan’s lead.

They weren’t very familiar with the routes either but trusted that following Xiao Yuan, they couldn’t go wrong.

The group traveled smoothly on the first day, leaving the city before dawn and reaching a small town by noon, where they purchased some food and fed the horses before continuing the journey.

By nightfall, they reached another small town with an inn, where Xiao Yuan rented a few rooms for the night.

The inn in the small town was not large, and with few rooms, there weren’t many guests, so they managed to arrange a few rooms for the Xiao Family.

Due to the limited rooms, they couldn’t all stay together. Xiao Yuan arranged for Anning and the Hui Family women to stay with the girls while he, Xiao Jin, and Xiao Ling stayed with the boys.

Once settled, they had the inn prepare some meals. After eating, Xiao Jin chatted with Xiao Yuan.

”Third Brother, if the journey continues this smoothly, it won’t take long for us to reach the Southern Yi.”

Xiao Yuan smiled, ”Don’t get too optimistic. Who knows what we might encounter along the way. But today went well, and a good start usually means it won’t be too difficult next.”

Xiao Jin liked hearing this. After sipping some tea, he discussed the route for the next day with Xiao Yuan.

Unexpectedly, Xiao Yuan suddenly said, ”We’ll rest tomorrow and continue the day after.”

”What?”

Xiao Jin was stunned, ”We’ve only traveled one day; why are we resting?”

Xiao Yuan looked at the sky outside, ”Your Third Sister-in-law predicts it will rain tomorrow.”

”My Third Sister-in-law said that?” Xiao Jin didn’t believe Anning, ”Since when could my Third Sister-in-law predict the weather?”

Xiao Yuan stood by the window, ”Your Third Sister-in-law has always been able to. She just didn’t show it at home. Think about those old farmers who rarely can’t predict the weather. It’s wisdom passed down through generations. Our family doesn’t farm, so why would your Third Sister-in-law display that skill? Besides predicting the weather, she knows a lot more, so wait and see.”

Huh?

Xiao Jin didn’t know what to say.

Arguing with Xiao Yuan seemed pointless.

After some thought, he decided that taking a day off wouldn’t hurt. If it didn’t rain tomorrow, his Third Sister-in-law’s words might not hold much weight afterward. However, if it did rain, they’d have to heed her advice in the future.

Settling on that, Xiao Jin said with a smile, ”Well, if Third Sister-in-law has such skills, it’ll save us a lot of trouble when we settle down in the future.”

Early the next morning, the Hui Family lady got up, dressed Ke’er, and washed her face, planning to set off early after breakfast.

However, Anning woke up unhurriedly, didn’t rush the innkeeper to make breakfast, and instead called Xiao Fu and Xiao Yin over to teach them to read.

”Third Sister-in-law, we should hurry and eat so we can hit the road.”

Impatient, the Hui Family lady urged.

”We’re not traveling today.”

Anning glanced up at her.

Huh?

The Hui Family lady was puzzled, ”Third Sister-in-law, we weren’t tired yesterday, so it’s good to leave early and reach Southern Yi sooner for peace of mind.”

Anning pointed to a word, teaching Xiao Yin, then looked at the Hui Family lady, ”It’s going to rain today, not suitable for traveling.”

The Hui Family lady checked outside. Despite being early, it seemed like a clear day with no sign of rain.

Still, she didn’t argue with Anning about it. If she said no travel, then there’d be no travel. They’d just take a nice break.

The Hui Family lady, like Xiao Jin, decided to use the day to see if Anning’s prediction was right.

The morning passed quickly, most of it clear. Many thought Anning might have been wrong, and they wouldn’t heed her next time.

But approaching noon, a cool breeze began to blow, followed by clouds gathering. Before midday, a heavy rain began to pour.

The rain fell so fiercely, as if someone was dumping basins of water from the sky; in moments, puddles covered the ground.

Watching the rain through the window, Xiao Jin couldn’t help but admire Anning.

She predicted rain, and sure enough, it poured heavily.

If they were traveling, they’d have gone far by now and might have been caught without any shelter, getting soaked.

The Hui Family lady also looked at Anning in shock, ”Third Sister-in-law, how did you learn to predict the weather?”

Even Xiao Yin, with her big round eyes, curiously gazed at Anning, wondering if her parents were hidden masters or golden finger big bosses. If so, could she have an easy life ahead?

Anning smiled, ”When farming with the village elders, learned from them. Lifelong farmers usually have some skill in predicting the weather.”

Explaining to the Hui Family lady, Anning pointed to Xiao Yin’s book, ”Read this sentence again.”

Xiao Yin lowered her head and obediently read.